JP4469697B2 - Magnetic recording / reproducing device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a magnetic recording / reproducing apparatus for recording / reproducing magnetic information on / from a magnetic information recording unit formed on a flexible magnetic recording medium. More specifically, the present invention relates to a magnetic head of a magnetic recording / reproducing apparatus and a pad roller that presses a core portion of the magnetic head.

  In this specification, the flexible magnetic recording medium is a sheet-like magnetic recording medium made of a flexible material such as paper or plastic. For example, it can be used semi-permanently as long as it is valid, such as a coupon, gift certificate, money voucher, air ticket, etc. In addition to what is used, for example, prepaid cards such as telephone cards and orange cards are used repeatedly for payment for various services.

  In particular, among flexible magnetic recording media, prepaid cards having a prepaid function based on magnetic information can be manufactured at a relatively low cost, so that they are widely distributed in the market and are widely used in various fields. Further, conventional prepaid cards such as telephone cards and orange cards are flexible magnetic recording media in which magnetic information that can be converted into exchange prices as consideration for a specific product service is recorded in the magnetic information recording unit. However, recently, a prepaid card as a flexible magnetic recording medium on which electronic money, which is a versatile monetary value itself that does not limit product services, has appeared.

  However, forgery due to information leakage of these flexible magnetic recording media has become a social problem, and it is necessary to construct a system with high security. For this reason, these flexible magnetic recording media are provided with a plurality of magnetic information recording units for recording magnetic information having different characteristics to enhance security. Specifically, in addition to the magnetic stripe which is a magnetic information recording unit in which monetary value information is recorded, a magnetic bar code or the like is provided as a magnetic information recording unit in which security information such as card attributes and usage status marks is recorded. As a means for preventing unauthorized recording / reproduction on the magnetic stripe.

Conventionally, a magnetic recording / reproducing apparatus for recording / reproducing a plurality of types of magnetic information having different characteristics with respect to such a flexible magnetic recording medium has various types of magnetic information recording units such as magnetic bar codes and various magnetic stripes. Accordingly, a plurality of combination sets of a magnetic head and a pad roller for pressing the core portion of the magnetic head are provided separately, and each of them is configured to operate independently. For example, there is Patent Document 1.
JP 2001-331903 A

  Conventionally, magnetic stripes, magnetic barcodes, etc. on flexible magnetic recording media have been arranged apart from each other. Recently, however, a plurality of types having different characteristics while ensuring the flexibility of media design such as cards. In order to maintain security by the magnetic information of the magnetic layer, the magnetic information recording portion of the magnetic layer forming the magnetic information recording portion is provided with strip-like magnetic information recording portions such as magnetic barcodes and magnetic stripes close to each other without gaps. Flexible magnetic recording media with different thicknesses have been proposed. In addition, in order to further spread these flexible magnetic recording media as popular and general-purpose prepaid cards, there is a demand for a small and inexpensive simple magnetic recording / reproducing apparatus that can be installed at general retail stores.

  However, the conventional magnetic recording / reproducing apparatus has a problem that the apparatus is increased in size and cost because a plurality of combination sets of the magnetic head and the pad roller are separately provided according to the type of the information recording unit. In addition, in order to deal with a flexible magnetic recording medium in which magnetic information recording units are arranged in a plurality of rows without gaps or close to each other, a plurality of sets of magnetic heads and pad rollers corresponding to each magnetic information recording unit are mutually connected. For example, if the flexible magnetic recording medium is arranged side by side in the conveyance direction, the medium conveyance path becomes long, so that the medium processing time becomes long, and it can be used at retail stores. There is a problem that it is not suitable.

  Also, when recording / reproducing a set of magnetic heads and pad rollers that are separated and separated in parallel in the medium width direction and follow each magnetic layer, the magnetic layers on the flexible magnetic recording medium are arranged without gaps or close to each other. Therefore, it is difficult to set and adjust the separation between the plurality of sets of magnetic heads and pad rollers extremely narrow, and there is a problem that the number of parts increases due to the adjustment.

  On the other hand, when a magnetic head and a pad roller are used in common for miniaturization, a flexible magnetic recording medium having a plurality of rows of magnetic information recording units made of magnetic layers having different thicknesses arranged in contact with each other Has a difference of 5 to 10 μm in the thickness of the magnetic layer, so that the contact between the magnetic layer on the thick side and the core of the magnetic head becomes dense, while the gap between the magnetic layer on the thin side and the core ( (Spacing) occurs, and the contact between the magnetic information recording unit and the magnetic head becomes unstable, resulting in a spacing loss that prevents accurate recording / reproduction of magnetic information, which cannot be eliminated. In other words, the spacing loss is mainly caused by the difference in the thickness of each magnetic layer forming the magnetic information recording portion such as a magnetic bar code or serial magnetic code and the deformation of the medium, and the magnetic head is caused by the line of magnetic force on the magnetic layer. This is a phenomenon in which the excitation current cannot be detected sufficiently at the concentrated portion, and is generally taken by pressing the pad roller against the magnetic head, but the thickness of the magnetic layers arranged without gaps or close to each other If there is a difference, it cannot be solved by this alone.

  As a method for preventing such a spacing loss, the contact surface of the magnetic layer in the core portion of the magnetic head is polished by 5 to 10 μm, which corresponds to a spacing (spacing) between the core portion and the other core portion. When the flexible magnetic recording medium is pressed against the magnetic head, there is a method of engaging each magnetic layer with the core portion. However, this method has a problem that high-precision polishing of the head core is necessary, and investment in dedicated equipment for that purpose is required.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a flexible magnetic recording medium having a plurality of rows of magnetic information recording portions having different magnetic layer thicknesses such as magnetic bar codes and serial magnetic codes with no gaps or close proximity. An object of the present invention is to provide a magnetic recording / reproducing apparatus that can accurately record and reproduce magnetic information with a simple magnetic head and pad roller, and that is small and inexpensive.

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides a magnetic head corresponding to each of the magnetic information recording units in order to record / reproduce magnetic information on / from a flexible magnetic recording medium having a plurality of magnetic information recording units. And a pad roller, wherein the magnetic information recording unit includes a plurality of magnetic materials having different thicknesses. The magnetic head includes a plurality of core portions for recording and reproducing magnetic information corresponding to each of the plurality of magnetic layers having different thicknesses, and the pad roller includes: And a plurality of separate rollers corresponding to each of the plurality of core portions, the plurality of separate rollers being supported and attached while being restricted by the restricting portion in the axial direction so as to be rotatable on one support shaft. By means so as to contact each plurality of magnetic layers having different thicknesses the said core portion, said urged flexible magnetic recording medium to the magnetic head side, the more the pad roller, the magnetic-head-side The first separate roller for biasing the first magnetic layer formed on the flexible magnetic recording medium and the second magnetic layer having a thickness smaller than that of the first magnetic layer are biased. and a second separate rollers which, separate roller the second is characterized by a Rukoto the relief portion is formed on the first separate roller side.

  Thus, the magnetic recording / reproducing apparatus accommodates a plurality of core portions for recording / reproducing a plurality of magnetic information recording portions having different thicknesses in one head casing, and a plurality of core portions corresponding to each of the plurality of core portions. A separate roller is supported by a single support shaft. Therefore, a difference in thickness of the magnetic information recording unit can be allowed by a fitting tolerance between the pad roller and the support shaft, and the flexible magnetic recording medium can be used without the pad rollers interfering with each other. The magnetic head can be pressed and urged.

  As a result, the plurality of pad rollers and the magnetic head are substantially separated and arranged in a limited space in the magnetic recording / reproducing apparatus in spite of recording / reproducing a plurality of magnetic information recording units having different thicknesses. A similar configuration can be realized, and an increase in the number of parts and a complicated mechanism can be suppressed. Further, it is possible to configure a small magnetic recording / reproducing apparatus capable of processing a medium in a short time on a short medium conveyance path.

  In addition, even in a flexible magnetic recording medium having a magnetic information recording unit composed of a plurality of magnetic layers having different thicknesses arranged in a plurality of rows without gaps or in close proximity, the separate roller has a plurality of different thicknesses. Since a plurality of core portions corresponding to each of the magnetic layers are reliably pressed and brought into close contact with the magnetic layer, no spacing loss occurs. Therefore, since the contact between the magnetic information recording portion and the magnetic head can be stabilized regardless of the thickness of the magnetic layer, the magnetic information can be accurately recorded and reproduced.

The pad roller has a first separate roller for biasing the first magnetic layer formed on the flexible magnetic recording medium toward the magnetic head, and a thickness greater than that of the first magnetic layer. And a second separate roller that urges the thin second magnetic layer, and the second separate roller has a relief portion formed on the first separate roller side . In this case, the flexible magnetic recording medium generated when the flexible magnetic recording medium is pressed against the magnetic head by forming a relief portion on the first separate roller side of the second separate roller. The amount of deformation (medium deflection) can be released to the escape portion. For this reason, the 2nd magnetic layer and a core part are made to contact reliably, and the stable recording / reproducing of magnetic information is achieved.

    In the present invention, the magnetic head includes a first core portion facing the first magnetic layer formed on the flexible magnetic recording medium, the head casing, and the first magnetic layer. It is preferable that a second core portion facing the second magnetic layer having a small thickness is arranged in parallel, and a recess is formed between the first core portion and the second core portion. In this case, by providing a recess between each core portion of the head casing, the flexible magnetic recording medium and the magnetic head can move when the flexible magnetic recording medium travels on the medium conveyance path while contacting the magnetic head. Since the contact area of the medium contact surface is reduced and the contact resistance is lowered, the load during running of the medium is reduced and the medium is stably conveyed, so that the recording and reproduction of magnetic information can be further ensured.

  In the magnetic recording / reproducing apparatus of the present invention, a plurality of core parts for recording / reproducing a plurality of magnetic information recording parts having different thicknesses are accommodated in one head casing, and a plurality of separate parts corresponding to each of the plurality of core parts are provided. The body roller is supported by one support shaft. Therefore, a difference in thickness of the magnetic information recording unit can be allowed by a fitting tolerance between the pad roller and the support shaft, and the flexible magnetic recording medium can be used without the pad rollers interfering with each other. The magnetic head can be pressed and urged. As a result, the plurality of pad rollers and the magnetic head are substantially separated and arranged in a limited space in the magnetic recording / reproducing apparatus in spite of recording / reproducing a plurality of magnetic information recording units having different thicknesses. A similar configuration can be realized, and an increase in the number of parts and a complicated mechanism can be suppressed. Further, it is possible to configure a small magnetic recording / reproducing apparatus capable of processing a medium in a short time on a short medium conveyance path.

In addition, even in a flexible magnetic recording medium having a magnetic information recording unit composed of a plurality of magnetic layers having different thicknesses arranged in a plurality of rows without gaps or in close proximity, the separate roller has a plurality of different thicknesses. Since a plurality of core portions corresponding to each of the magnetic layers are reliably pressed and brought into close contact with the magnetic layer, no spacing loss occurs. Therefore, the contact between the magnetic information recording unit and the magnetic head can be stabilized regardless of the thickness of the magnetic layer. Further, in the first and second separate rollers constituting the pad roller, the second separate roller has a relief portion on the first separate roller side. By forming the relief portion, the deformation amount (medium deflection) of the flexible magnetic recording medium that occurs when the flexible magnetic recording medium is pressed against the magnetic head can be escaped to the relief portion. For this reason, the 2nd magnetic layer and a core part are made to contact reliably, and the stable recording / reproducing of magnetic information is achieved.

  The best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a front view of a pad roller and a magnetic head of a magnetic recording / reproducing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the main part of FIG. FIG. 3 is a front view of a prepaid card suitable for the embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of a cross section in the card width (short side) direction of FIG. FIG. 5 is a plan view showing a schematic configuration of the magnetic recording / reproducing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a side sectional view of the magnetic recording / reproducing apparatus shown in FIG.

(Prepaid card configuration)
A prepaid card as a flexible magnetic recording medium applied to this embodiment is shown in FIGS. As shown in FIG. 3, the prepaid card 6 is provided with a main magnetic information recording unit 60 that repeatedly records and reproduces main magnetic information. The main magnetic information recording unit 60 includes a plurality of magnetic stripes such as a magnetic stripe 601 and other magnetic information recording means. Further, two rows of magnetic codes having different characteristics, that is, a serial magnetic code 602 and a magnetic bar code 603 are provided. Further, the prepaid card 6 is provided with spaces such as a character print display portion 604 for printing characters and the like and a punch hole portion 605.

  Further, the character print display unit 604 such as characters, the punch hole unit 605, the serial magnetic code 602, the magnetic bar code 603, the main magnetic information recording unit 60, and the like are arranged so as not to overlap and interfere with each other. Note that the arrangement of recording or displaying these information on the prepaid card 6 is not limited to the above, and magnetic bar codes can be provided at a plurality of locations or the range can be changed according to the application. is there.

  In the prepaid card 6, as shown in FIG. 4, a high coercive force magnetic layer 62 as a first magnetic layer is formed on the entire surface of the substrate 61, and a second magnetic layer is formed in a predetermined region. The low coercive force magnetic layer 63 is formed on the high coercive force magnetic layer 62. Specifically, the serial magnetic cord 602 is formed in a strip shape at the outermost end along the direction in which the card of the high coercive force magnetic layer 62 is conveyed. Adjacent to the serial magnetic code 602, the magnetic bar code 603 is formed by applying a low coercive magnetic layer 63 having a thickness of 5 to 10 μm on the high coercive magnetic layer 62 by an appropriate method such as magnetic ink printing. 602 is arranged in parallel with 602. In the card width (short) direction, the serial magnetic code 602 has a width of 7.0 ± 1.2 mm, and the magnetic bar code 603 has a width of 5.5 ± 0.5 mm. Two rows of magnetic codes, that is, a serial magnetic code 602 and a magnetic bar code 603 are arranged in contact with each other without a gap therebetween. The main magnetic information recording unit 60 is configured by recording appropriate magnetic information at a predetermined position on the high coercive force magnetic layer 62. In particular, the magnetic stripe 601 is separated from the magnetic barcode 603 by about 5 mm and is provided in parallel therewith.

  In addition, since such a prepaid card 6 receives a comparatively rough handling with the frequency similar to a banknote and a coin as a settlement means of a comparatively small amount of personal transaction, it has the strong durability with respect to an impact, a card bending, and static electricity. Required. Therefore, a suitable prepaid card has a thickness of 0.18 to 0.36 mm and has a prepaid function based on magnetic information, and is mainly made of PET (polyethylene terephthalate). For example, a card defined in JISX6310 However, the physical characteristics, shape, and dimensions of the card are specified in JIS X6311, but the card is not limited to the card specified in the JIS standard.

(Configuration of magnetic recording / reproducing apparatus)
The magnetic recording / reproducing apparatus 20 according to this embodiment records or reproduces magnetic information on the serial magnetic code 602, magnetic bar code 603, and magnetic stripe 601 of the prepaid card 6, and as shown in FIG. A card insertion slot 21 for guiding the card into the apparatus, a card transport path 22 as a medium transport path for the prepaid card 6 in the apparatus, and transport rollers 23 and 24 as transport means for transporting the prepaid card 6. 27 are provided.

  The card transport path 22 has a magnetic bar code head 1 that records and reproduces magnetic information on the code 602 and magnetic bar code 603 formed on the prepaid card 6, and magnetic information is recorded on the magnetic stripe 601. A magnetic information recording mechanism 25 including each of the magnetic heads 15 for reproduction is provided. Further, on the back side of the card conveyance path 22 from the magnetic information recording mechanism 25, a punch mechanism 26 for punching punch holes in the punch hole portion 605 of the prepaid card 6 is disposed.

  The card insertion slot 21 is formed by a slope that narrows toward the back of the apparatus so as to guide the insertion of the prepaid card 6, and the innermost slot of the card insertion slot 21 is slightly smaller than the thickness and width of the prepaid card 6. It is large and has a height (card thickness direction) H of about 0.5 to 1 mm, and a width (card width direction) W of about 57.5 mm.

  Further, on the back side of the apparatus near the card insertion slot 21, conveyance rollers 27 and 27 that guide conveyance at the time of insertion of the prepaid card 6 and prevent insertion of foreign matters are provided at the approximate center position of the card width. Is provided. An appropriate shutter opening / closing mechanism can be provided instead of the transport roller.

  The card transport path 22 is a path through which the prepaid card 6 is transported extending from the card insertion slot 21 to the back side of the apparatus. The upper upper frame 28 that guides and regulates the transported prepaid card 6 and the lower lower frame The frame 29 and left and right side portions 30 and 30 in the transport direction are formed.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the conveying rollers 23 and 24 as conveying means are arranged on the opposite side to the side where the serial magnetic code 602, magnetic bar code 603 and magnetic stripe 601 are formed in the card width direction. Yes. Further, the transport rollers 23 and 24 are disposed so as to sandwich the punch mechanism 26 in the card transport direction, and one transport roller 23 is disposed in the vicinity of the magnetic information recording mechanism 25. With such an arrangement, it is possible to accurately control the card transport position in punching holes and recording magnetic information. The card conveying means is not limited to the conveying roller, and may be configured to convey the card while being sandwiched by the conveying belt, or may be a combination of the conveying belt and the pad roller, and an appropriate configuration is possible.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 6, the transport roller 24 transports the prepaid card 6 between the drive transport roller 24 b facing the driven transport roller 24 a disposed on the upper side of the card transport path 22. The lower drive conveyance roller 24b is connected to each other by a pulley and a belt (not shown), and is connected to a drive source motor, and the upper conveyance roller 24a is rotatably provided. Although not shown in FIG. 6, the transport roller 23 includes a driven transport roller and a drive transport roller, like the transport roller 24. Further, the magnetic head 15 is formed with a pad roller 16 that presses the core portion.

(Configuration of magnetic information recording mechanism)
The magnetic bar code head 1 is configured by supporting and storing a second core portion 8 and a first core portion 9 in a head casing 2. The second core unit 8 performs recording / reproduction of magnetic information with respect to the serial magnetic code 602 of the prepaid card 6, and the first core unit 9 performs recording / reproduction of magnetic information recorded on the magnetic barcode 603. It is like that. In addition, the contact surfaces of the core portions 8 and 9 that contact the serial magnetic code 602 and the magnetic bar code 603 are provided in the same plane when the magnetic information is recorded on and reproduced from the prepaid card 6.

  A recess 7 is provided between the core portions 8 and 9. Since the contact area of the magnetic bar code head 1 with respect to the prepaid card 6 is reduced by the concave portion 7, the friction during the prepaid card 6 conveyance can be reduced, and good card conveyance can be realized. Further, by providing the concave portion 7, the width of the contact portion including the core portions 8 and 9 of the magnetic bar code head 1 contacting the prepaid card 6 is set to the width of the flat portion (cylindrical portion) of the pad roller 5 described later, 2, the width of the separate roller 3 and the first separate roller 4 is made smaller than the sum of the widths of the separate roller 3 and the first separate roller 4, so that the pad roller 5 attaches the serial magnetic code 602 and the magnetic barcode 603 on the prepaid card 6 to the core unit 8, The contact pressure to be pressed by the arm 9 can be increased, and good magnetic information reading can be realized.

  Here, processing of the magnetic barcode head 1 will be described. The contact surfaces of the core portions 8 and 9 that contact the serial magnetic cord 602 and the magnetic barcode 603 are polished so as to form the same plane. In this polishing process, the core portions 8 and 9 are fixed in the head casing 2 with a resin or the like so that the contact surfaces of the core portions 8 and 9 face the core window, and then the head casing 2 is held and simultaneously polished. It is. The recesses 7 are simultaneously formed between the core windows when the head casing 2 is molded with a press or the like. When the magnetic bar code head 1 is processed in this way, the core is polished so that a difference corresponding to the spacing (5 to 10 μm) is provided in the height of the core portion 8 and the core portion 9 in order to eliminate the spacing loss. Such special high-precision machining is not necessary. For this reason, when the core portions 8 and 9 are ground, advanced grinding can be easily performed with conventional equipment, and new equipment is not required. Further, since the concave portion 7 is processed and molded simultaneously with the mold when the head casing 2 is molded, no special additional work to the head casing 2 is required.

  Next, the pad roller 5 is constituted by separate rollers 3 and 4 that are rotatably supported by the support shaft 10, and is attached to the upper frame 28 of the card transport path 22, and the card transport path 22 of the magnetic barcode head 1. It is provided on the opposite side across the wall. The second separate roller 3 and the first separate roller 4 are arranged so that the serial magnetic code 602 and the magnetic barcode 603 of the prepaid card 6 are connected to the second core portion 8 and the first core portion of the magnetic barcode head 1. 9 is pressed against.

  The support shaft 10 can be moved up and down by a U-shaped bearing (not shown) provided at both ends of the shaft on the upper frame 28, that is, supported in a direction approaching and separating from the magnetic bar code head 1, and by the biasing member 11. It is biased toward the card transport path. Accordingly, the pad roller 5 is biased at a constant pressure toward the opposing magnetic bar code head 1, and when the magnetic information is recorded / reproduced on the prepaid card 6, the serial magnetic code 602 and the magnetic bar The two core portions 8 and 9 are pressed against and brought into contact with the cord 603.

  The urging member 11 of this embodiment is constituted by a single leaf spring, applies a bad pressure to both ends of the support shaft 10, and causes the second separate roller 3 and the first separate roller 4 to be pad rollers 5. As a whole, the urging member 11 is urged toward the magnetic bar code head 1 side. Alternatively, the separate roller may be formed of a resin material having a low friction coefficient and urged directly by a leaf spring. As the urging member 11, an urging member such as a torsion spring can be used.

  The separate rollers 3 and 4 of the pad roller 5 are independent rotating bodies, and the positional deviation in the axial direction is restricted by the restricting portion 13. The restricting portion 13 prevents misalignment so that the separate rollers 3 and 4 are disposed at positions facing the core portions 8 and 9 of the magnetic barcode head 1, and is integrated with the upper frame 28 of the conveyance path 22. Is provided. The support shaft 10 can be provided by an E ring or the like. In short, in consideration of the axial width of the second separate roller 3 and the first separate roller 4 and the width of the second core portion 8 and the first core portion 9, the serial magnetic cord 602 and As long as the positional deviation of the separate rollers 3 and 4 can be prevented within a range in which normal recording / reproducing of magnetic information on the magnetic barcode 603 is possible, the restriction unit 13 may have any configuration.

  Ring-shaped flange portions 3a and 4a having a diameter smaller than that of the main body of the separate rollers 3 and 4 are formed around the support shaft 10 on the end surfaces of the separate rollers 3 and 4 in the rotation axis direction. 4 can prevent the separate rollers 3 and 4 from interfering with each other. Moreover, the influence on the rotation by the frictional contact between the restricting portion 13 and the separate rollers 3 and 4 can be prevented. The flanges 3a and 4a function sufficiently if provided on at least one end face of the separate rollers 3 and 4, but may be provided on each end face.

  Next, when the second separate roller 3 that presses the serial magnetic code 602 of the prepaid card 6 presses the prepaid card 6 toward the first separate roller 4 that presses the magnetic barcode 603, An escape portion 12 for escaping the bent portion of the card generated on the separate roller 3 side is formed. In this embodiment, the total size of the relief play is larger than the width of the second core portion 8 of the magnetic bar code head 1 and the second separate roller 3 is about 0.5 to 1.0 mm. The chamfer is formed as the escape portion 12. The pad roller 5 is chamfered by changing the amount of deformation of the card based on the thickness of the flat portion (cylindrical portion) of the second separate roller 3, the thickness of the thrust medium of the separate roller 3, the medium material, and the channel spacing. It is preferable to set after comprehensive consideration. Further, a similar relief portion can be provided on the side of the separate roller 4 facing the separate roller 3 as an auxiliary.

  Further, a backlash with a tolerance of 0.01 mm is provided between the inner diameters of the separate rollers 3 and 4 and the outer diameter of the support shaft 10, and the maximum of the two separate rollers of the separate roller 3 and the separate roller 4 is maximum. A tolerance of 0.02 mm is secured. Therefore, within a range in which the difference D (5 to 10 μm) in the magnetic layer thickness between the thin magnetic layer (second magnetic layer) serial magnetic cord 602 and the thick magnetic layer (first magnetic layer) magnetic barcode 603 can be eliminated. The separate roller 3 and the separate roller 4 function as substantially independent pad rollers to press the repaid card 6. That is, since the separate roller 3 presses the serial barcode 602 and the separate roller 4 presses the magnetic barcode 603 following the thickness of each magnetic layer, the thickness difference D of the magnetic layer is eliminated, and the scanning is performed. Occurrence of pacing loss can be prevented.

  The magnetic head 15 records and reproduces magnetic information recorded on the magnetic stripe 601, and an appropriate configuration such as a multi-channel head can be selected depending on the type of magnetic information of the prepaid card 6. As shown in FIG. 6, the pad roller 16 is disposed so as to face the magnetic head 15 with the card transport path 22 in between. The pad roller 16 is biased toward the magnetic head 15 by a biasing member 11 such as a leaf spring, and presses the magnetic stripe 601 of the prepaid card 6 against the magnetic head 15. The pad roller 16, the pad roller 5, and the driven roller 23a of the conveying roller 23 are preferably supported on the same straight line.

(Card processing operation)
Processing operations with the prepaid card 6 in the magnetic recording / reproducing apparatus 20 configured as described above will be described with reference to FIGS.

  The prepaid card 6 is guided by the pad roller 27 from the card insertion slot 21 by the user and inserted into the magnetic recording / reproducing apparatus 20. When the tip of the prepaid card 6 reaches the position of the magnetic bar code head 1, the magnetic head 15, and the transport roller 23, a sensor (not shown) detects the arrival of the prepaid card 6, the transport roller 23 is driven, and the magnetic bar code head 1 The magnetic information recording / reproducing process by the magnetic head 15 is started. The prepaid card 6 is restricted in movement in the card thickness direction by the upper frame 28 and the lower frame 29 along the conveyance path 22 during manual insertion and conveyance by the conveyance rollers 23 and 24, and the card conveyance direction. Guided by the left and right side portions 30 and 30 in the card width (short side) direction.

  In the magnetic information recording / reproducing process, first, the magnetic bar code 603 composed of the magnetic layer 63 having a low coercive force is re-magnetized in the core portion 9 of the magnetic bar code head 1 and serialized together with the reading of the bar code information. Information reading of the magnetic code 602 is performed by the core portions 8 and 9 of the magnetic bar code head 1. Thus, an information processing device such as a host device (not shown) confirms card attributes, security, etc. based on these information, and determines whether or not the transaction is possible.

  When it is determined that a transaction is possible without finding a problem in the prepaid card 6, the balance of the monetary value and the frequency of use of the magnetic stripe 601 of the main magnetic information recording unit 60 and other magnetic information (hereinafter “balance information”) Is read by the magnetic head 15. The balance information and the like are transmitted to the host device and subjected to predetermined transaction settlement processing, then updated and transmitted as new balance information and the like to the magnetic recording / reproducing device 20, and the magnetic stripe 601 of the prepaid card 6 by the magnetic head 15. Is written to. While the recording / reproducing is performed on the prepaid card 6 as described above, the transport roller 23 repeats the forward and reverse operations as appropriate according to the writing and reading processes.

  After the updated balance information and the like are written to the magnetic stripe 601, the prepaid card 6 is conveyed while being held at the punch position on the back side of the apparatus by the conveying rollers 23 and 24, and the punch mechanism 26 A punch hole is drilled at a predetermined position according to the content of the instruction or balance information. At the time of punching, the prepaid card 6 is accurately positioned and is not displaced because the transport rollers 23 and 24 are sandwiched.

  The prepaid card 6 is returned to the insertion port 21 by the transport rollers 23 and 24 and then returned to the user after the processing such as recording and reproduction as described above is performed. Depending on the application of the prepaid card 6, the card may not be returned toward the card insertion slot 21 and further transported to the back of the apparatus for the next processing. In addition, even when it is determined that a transaction is possible based on confirmation of security based on information reading of the magnetic bar code 603 and the serial magnetic code 602 described above, the prepaid card 6 is returned to the user by the transport roller 23 or transported. The rollers 23 and 24 are conveyed to a fraudulent card collection unit and a discharge port on the back side of the magnetic recording / reproducing apparatus 20.

(Effect of this embodiment)
As described above, in the magnetic recording / reproducing apparatus 20 of this embodiment, when magnetic information recording / reproducing processing is performed, the pad roller is used for the serial magnetic code 602 and the magnetic bar code 603 having different thicknesses of the prepaid card 6. The second separate roller 3 and the first separate roller 4 of the 5 are each independently applied with a pressing force, and the second core portion 8 and the first core facing the serial magnetic cord 602 and the magnetic barcode 603. The portion 9 is firmly brought into close contact, and the mounting tolerance of the second separate roller 3 and the first separate roller 4 with respect to the same support shaft 10 is caused by the difference D in thickness between the two magnetic layers 602 and 603. It is possible to eliminate the spacing (spacing) and prevent the occurrence of spacing loss.

  Furthermore, in this embodiment, the same biasing member 11 and support shaft 10 are used for the second separate roller 3 and the first separate roller 4, so that in a limited space in the magnetic recording / reproducing apparatus 20. Further, it is possible to separate and arrange a plurality of pad rollers, and it is possible to suppress an increase in the number of parts and a complicated mechanism.

  In this embodiment, when the prepaid card 6 is pressed against the core portions 8 and 9 of the magnetic bar code head 1 by the separate rollers 3 and 4, the serial magnetic cord 602 made of a thin magnetic layer (second magnetic layer). And the deflection of the card generated between the magnetic bar code 603 made of a thick magnetic layer and the escape portion 12 formed by chamfering the separate roller 3, so that the serial magnetic cord 602 and the second core portion 8 Contact and contact between the magnetic barcode 603 and the first core portion 9 can be further stabilized.

  In this embodiment, by providing the recess 7 between the core portions 8 and 9 of the magnetic bar code head 1, when the prepaid card 6 travels on the card transport path 22 while contacting the magnetic bar code head 1, the prepaid card is used. By reducing the contact area between the magnetic bar code head 1 and the magnetic bar code head 1 and reducing the contact resistance, the load during running of the magnetic card can be reduced. Further, by providing the recess 7 so that the contact area of the cores 8, 9 with respect to the prepaid card 6 is smaller than the contact area of the pad roller 5, the pad roller 5 is connected to the serial barcode 602 and the magnetic barcode of the prepaid card 6. The contact pressure that presses the 603 against the core portions 8 and 9 is increased, and good magnetic information reading can be realized.

(Other embodiments)
The form mentioned above is an example of the suitable form of this invention, However It is not limited to this, In the range which does not change the summary of this invention, various deformation | transformation are possible. For example, in the above-described embodiment, the escape portion 12 is formed on the side of the separate roller 3 facing the separate roller 4. May be.

  Further, in this embodiment, the core portion stored in the head casing 2 is two core portions 8 and 9, but is not limited to two, and the number of pad rollers corresponding to the core portion is also limited. Is not to be done. For example, when the arrangement interval of the magnetic stripe 601 and the magnetic barcode 603 is about 5 mm or less due to the layout configuration of the prepaid card 6, the magnetic head 15, the magnetic barcode head 1, and the pad roller 5 facing them It is difficult to form the pad roller 16 separately from each other, and the pad roller 16 may be configured by an integrated magnetic head corresponding to the magnetic stripe 601, the magnetic barcode 603, and the serial barcode 602, and three separate rollers. it can. In this case, a problem similar to the spacing loss in the adjacently arranged serial barcode 602 and magnetic barcode 603 also occurs between the magnetic stripe 601 and the magnetic barcode 603 that are spaced apart by about 5 mm or less. However, according to the application of the present invention, the generation of the spacing loss can be prevented, and reliable magnetic information recording / reproduction can be realized.

It is a top view which shows schematic structure of the pad roller and magnetic bar code head concerning embodiment of this invention. It is a cross-sectional enlarged view when the pad roller concerning embodiment of this invention presses the prepaid card. It is a top view which shows the structure of the prepaid card concerning embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing of the card width (short side) direction of the prepaid card shown in FIG. It is the top view seen from the magnetic recording / reproducing apparatus upper side part which shows the structure of the magnetic recording / reproducing apparatus concerning embodiment of this invention. It is side surface sectional drawing which shows the card insertion slot and card | curd conveyance path of the magnetic recording / reproducing apparatus shown in FIG.

Explanation of symbols

1 Magnetic Barcode Head 2 Head Casing 3 Second Separate Roller,
4 First separate roller 5 Pad roller 6 Prepaid card 7 Recessed portion 8 Second core portion 9 First core portion 10 Support shaft 11 Energizing member 12 Escape portion 13 Restricting portion 15 Magnetic head 20 Magnetic recording / reproducing device 62 First Two magnetic layers 63 First magnetic layer

Claims (2)

In order to record / reproduce magnetic information to / from a flexible magnetic recording medium having a plurality of magnetic information recording units, the magnetic head includes a magnetic head and a pad roller corresponding to each of the magnetic information recording units, and the pad roller includes the magnetic head. In the magnetic recording / reproducing apparatus configured to urge the flexible magnetic recording medium, the magnetic information recording unit includes a plurality of magnetic layers having different thicknesses, and the magnetic head has the thickness of A plurality of core portions for recording / reproducing magnetic information corresponding to each of a plurality of different magnetic layers are accommodated in one head casing, and the pad roller includes a plurality of core portions corresponding to each of the plurality of core portions. The plurality of separate rollers are supported by being restricted by the restricting portion in the axial direction so as to be rotatable on a single support shaft, and the plurality of separate rollers have different thicknesses by the biasing means. So as to contact the magnetic layer on the core unit, thereby biasing the flexible magnetic recording medium to the magnetic head side, further the pad roller, the magnetic head side by the flexible magnetic recording medium on A first separate roller that biases the formed first magnetic layer; and a second separate roller that biases a second magnetic layer that is thinner than the first magnetic layer. , separate roller the second is relief portion is formed separately roller side of the first magnetic recording reproducing apparatus according to claim Rukoto. The magnetic head includes: a first core portion facing the first magnetic layer formed on the flexible magnetic recording medium; a first core portion having a thickness smaller than the first magnetic layer; and the second core portion opposed to the second magnetic layer are arranged in parallel, according to claim 1, wherein a recess is formed between the core portions of the first and the second core portion Magnetic recording / reproducing apparatus.

Images